LEXINGTON, Ky. — Gonzaga felt the energy and history of Rupp Arena, then crafted a milestone that No. 17 Kentucky didn’t want.
Anton Watson scored 17 points, including a go-ahead three-point play with 3:49 remaining before adding two key layups in the final 91 seconds, Ben Gregg and Nolan Hickman sank key late free throws, and Gonzaga survived a second-half rally to beat No. 17 Kentucky 89-85 on Saturday.
The Wildcats (16-7) have now lost three straight at Rupp Arena for the first time since it opened in 1976. Kentucky hadn’t lost three in a row at home since the 1966-67 season, when it played at Memorial Coliseum.
“When you walk into this building and it’s been packed like it has been for three games, we just normally come out on fire and we haven’t,” Kentucky coach John Calipari said.
Meanwhile, Gonzaga left its first trip to Lexington with a lot to savor.
The Bulldogs (18-6) outperformed Kentucky in most every phase to lead 42-32 at halftime before the Wildcats stormed back ahead to force a back-and-forth contest. Reed Sheppard ‘s three-point play with 4:07 left tied the game at 75, but Watson provided the go-ahead layup and ensuing free throw to put Gonzaga ahead for good, 78-75.